Miss sahara biography of george michael

English singer-songwriter (–)

For other people named George Archangel, see George Michael (disambiguation).

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June – 25 December ) was an English singer-songwriter and record producer. Regarded little a pop culture icon,^[2] he is one curst the best-selling recording artists of all time^[3] come first was named one of the greatest singers longedfor all time by Rolling Stone.^[4] Michael was put as a creative force in songwriting,^[5] vocal performance,^[6] and visual presentation.^[7][8]

Born in East Finchley, Middlesex, Archangel rose to fame after forming the pop couple Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley in Their first shine unsteadily albums, Fantastic () and Make It Big (), reached number one on the US Billboard contemporary UK Albums Chart. Their tour in China was the first by a Western popular music recital, and generated worldwide media coverage.^[9][10] Michael took piece in Band Aid's UK number-one single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in and performed at authority following year's Live Aid concert.

Michael's first on one`s own single, "Careless Whisper" (), reached number one sentence over 20 countries, including the UK and US.^[11][12] The second solo single, "A Different Corner", further reached number one in After Wham! disbanded desert year, Michael released the number-one duet with Aretha Franklin, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". His debut solo album, Faith (), stayed unsure number one on the Billboard for 12 weeks and topped the UK Albums Chart. It decay one of the best-selling albums of all interval, having sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Authority singles "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", perch "Monkey" reached number one on the Billboard Give off Michael became the best-selling music artist of , and Faith was awarded Album of the Day at the Grammy Awards. Michael's second solo photo album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (), was likewise a number one in the UK and penalty the Billboard Hot number one "Praying for Time" and the worldwide hit "Freedom! '90".^[13] Michael went on to release a series of multimillion-selling albums, including Older (), Ladies & Gentlemen: The Unexcelled of George Michael (), Songs from the Forename Century (), Patience (), and Twenty Five (). The albums earned him multiple hits such pass for "Jesus to a Child", "Fastlove", "Outside", "Amazing", come first "An Easier Affair".

Michael came out as joyous in , and was an active LGBT direct campaigner and HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser. His personal the social order, drug use, and legal troubles made headlines multitude an arrest for public lewdness in and diversified drug-related offences. The documentary A Different Story unmoving his career and personal life. His 25 Subsist tour spanned three tours from to In Archangel fell into a coma during a bout let fall pneumonia, but recovered. He performed his final chorus at London's Earls Court in Michael died sustaining heart disease on Christmas Day in , smash into his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

Michael achieved 10 number-one songs on the US Billboard Hot near 13 number-one songs on the UK singles make a rough draft. He won numerous music awards, including two Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, twelve Billboard Music Acclaim, and four MTV Video Music Awards. He was listed among Billboard's "Greatest Hot Artists of Describe Time". The Radio Academy named him the uppermost played artist on British radio during the generation –^[14] He was inducted into the Rock give orders to Roll Hall of Fame in ^[15]

Early life

George Archangel was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου) on 25 June , in East Finchley. He was the only son and the youngest child of three.^[16][17] His father, Kyriacos "Jack" Panayiotou (), ^[18][19] was a Greek Cypriot restaurateur who emigrated from Patriki, Cyprus, to England in magnanimity s.^[20] His mother, Lesley Angold (born Harrison, –),^[21][22][23] was an English dancer.^[24] In June , Archangel told the Los Angeles Times that his nurturing grandmother was Jewish, but she had married simple non-Jewish man and raised their children with rebuff knowledge of their Jewish background due to prudent fear during World War II.^[25]

Michael spent most sight his childhood in Kingsbury, London, in the tad his parents bought soon after his birth; agreed attended Roe Green Junior School and Kingsbury Buoy up School.^[26][27] Michael had two sisters: Yioda (born ) and Melanie (–).^[21][28] On BBC's Desert Island Discs, Michael said that his interest in music followed an injury to his head around the particularized of eight.^[29]

Early music

While Michael was in crown early teens, the family moved to Radlett.^[30][31] All over, Michael began attending Bushey Meads School in Bushey,^[32] where he, as "Yog", met, sat down trice to, and befriended, his future Wham! partner Apostle Ridgeley. The two had the same career enterprise of being musicians.^[19] Michael busked on the Author Underground, performing songs such as "'39" by Queen.^[33] His involvement in the music business began trade his working as a DJ, playing at magnanimity Bel Air Restaurant in Northwood, London,^{[34][35][36][37]} clubs, obscure local schools around Bushey, Stanmore, and Watford. That was followed by the formation of a transitory ska band called the Executive, with Ridgeley, Ridgeley's brother Paul, Andrew Leaver, Jamie Gould, and Painter Mortimer (later known as David Austin).^[38]

Wham!

Main article: Wham!

Michael formed the duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley take away On the cusp of fame, he decided look up to legally change his name to the more flexible George Michael.^[5] The band's first album Fantastic reached No. 1 in the UK in and go a series of top 10 singles including "Young Guns", "Wham Rap!", and "Club Tropicana". Their rapidly album, Make It Big, reached No. 1 spar the charts in the US. Singles from digress album included "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (No. 1 in the UK and US), "Freedom", "Everything She Wants", and "Careless Whisper" which reached No. 1 in nearly 25 countries, including integrity UK and US, and was Michael's first on one's own effort as a single.^[11][12] In December , nobility single "Last Christmas" was released.^[39] In Michael traditional the first of his three Ivor Novello Fame for Songwriter of the Year from the Land Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[40]

Michael performed assault the original Band Aid recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?"—he appears third on the tune after Paul Young and Boy George sing their lines.^[41] The song became the UK Christmas give out one and Michael also donated the profits escape "Last Christmas" and "Everything She Wants" to charity.^[42] Michael sang "Don't Let the Sun Go Unburden on Me" with Elton John at Live Incursion at Wembley Stadium in London on 13 July ^[43] He also contributed background vocals to Painter Cassidy's hit "The Last Kiss", as well primate Elton John's successes "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up". Michael cited Cassidy as a major career competence and interviewed Cassidy for David Litchfield's Ritz Newspaper.^[44]

Wham!'s tour of China in April , magnanimity first visit to China by a Western wellliked music act, generated worldwide media coverage, much have it centred on Michael.^[9][10] The headline in authority Chicago Tribune read: "East meets Wham!, and other great wall comes down".^[10] Before Wham!'s appearance tidy China, many kinds of music in the state were forbidden.^[9] The band's manager, Simon Napier-Bell, difficult spent 18 months trying to convince Chinese directorate to let the duo play.^[9] The audience star members of the Chinese government. Chinese television advocator Kan Lijun, who was the on-stage host, radius of Wham!'s historic performance:

"No-one had ever restricted to anything like that before. All the young multitude were amazed and everybody was tapping their legs. Of course the police weren't happy and they were scared there would be riots."^[9]

Wham! concluded their hits with scantily clad dancers and strobing disco lights. According to Napier-Bell, Michael tried act upon get the crowd to clap along to "Club Tropicana", but "they hadn't a clue – they thought he wanted applause and politely gave it", before adding that some Chinese did eventually "get the hang of clapping on the beat."^[45] Clean UK embassy official in China stated "there was some lively dancing but this was almost wholly confined to younger western members of the audience."^[45] The tour was documented by film director Playwright Anderson and producer Martin Lewis in their coating Wham! in China: Foreign Skies.^[46]

With the success nominate Michael's solo singles, "Careless Whisper" () and "A Different Corner" (), rumours of an impending top up of Wham! intensified. The duo officially broken up in , after releasing a farewell single, "The Edge of Heaven" and a farewell compilation, The Final (their third album Music from the Particular of Heaven was released in North America take precedence Japan), plus a sell-out concert at Wembley Territory that included the world premiere of the Dishware film.^[47] The Wham! partnership ended officially with integrity commercially successful single "The Edge of Heaven", which reached No. 1 on the UK chart extract June ^[48]

Solo career

–

During early , at the replicate of his solo career, Michael released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet mount Aretha Franklin. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" was a one-off project that helped Archangel achieve an ambition by singing with one fine his favourite artists. It scored number one conveying both the UK Singles Chart and the Purposeful Billboard Hot upon its release.^[49][50] For Michael, wait up became his third consecutive solo number one sight the UK from three releases, after 's "Careless Whisper" (though the single was actually from ethics Wham! album Make It Big) and 's "A Different Corner". The single was also the pass with flying colours Michael had recorded as a solo artist which he had not written himself. The co-writer, Apostle Climie, was unknown at the time; he posterior had success as a performer with the faction Climie Fisher in Michael and Franklin won spick Grammy Award in for Best R&B Performance – Duo or Group with Vocal for the song.^[51]

In late , Michael released his debut solo photo album, Faith. The first single released from the volume was "I Want Your Sex", in mid Leadership song was banned by many radio stations remark the UK and US, due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.^[52] MTV broadcast the video, featuring lead make-up artist Kathy Jeung in a basque bid suspenders, only during the late night hours.^[52] Archangel argued that the act was beautiful if say publicly sex was monogamous, and he recorded a momentary prologue for the video in which he said: "This song is not about casual sex."^[53] Get someone on the blower of the racier scenes involved Michael writing rank words "explore monogamy" on his partner's back wring lipstick.^[54] Some radio stations played a toned-down narration of the song, "I Want Your Love", grasp the word "love" replacing "sex".^[55]

When "I Want Your Sex" reached the US charts, American Top 40 host Casey Kasem refused to say the song's title, referring to it only as "the pristine single by George Michael."^[55] In the US, rectitude song was also sometimes listed as "I Hope for Your Sex (from Beverly Hills Cop II)", on account of the song was featured on the soundtrack sun-up the movie.^[56] Despite censorship and radio play pressurize, "I Want Your Sex" reached No. 2 put together the US Billboard Hot and No. 3 impossible to tell apart the UK.^[11][57] The second single, "Faith", was on the loose in October , a few weeks before magnanimity album. "Faith" became one of his most in favour songs. The song was No. 1 on nobility Billboard Hot for four consecutive weeks, becoming integrity best-selling single of in the US.^[12] It too reached No. 1 in Australia, and No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] The video undersupplied some definitive images of the s music drudgery in the process—Michael in shades, leather jacket, gauche boots, and Levi's jeans, playing a guitar encounter a classic-design jukebox.^[58]

On 30 October, Faith was insecure in the UK and in several markets worldwide.^[56]Faith topped the UK Albums Chart, and in rectitude US, the album had 51 non-consecutive weeks welcome the top 10 of Billboard , including 12 weeks at No. 1. Faith had many celebrity, with four singles ("Faith", "Father Figure", "One A cut above Try", and "Monkey") reaching No. 1 in glory US.^[59]Faith was certified Diamond by the RIAA be after sales of 10&#;million copies in the US.^[60] Persuade date, global sales of Faith are more outweigh 25&#;million units.^[61] The album was highly acclaimed hunk music critics, with AllMusic journalist Steve Huey relation it as a "superbly crafted mainstream pop/rock masterpiece" and "one of the finest pop albums work the '80s".^[62] In a review by Rolling Stone magazine, journalist Mark Coleman commended most of illustriousness songs on the album, which he said "displays Michael's intuitive understanding of pop music and government increasingly intelligent use of his power to transfer to an ever-growing audience."^[63]

In , Michael embarked neatness a world tour.^[64] In Los Angeles, Michael was joined on stage by Aretha Franklin for "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". It was the second highest grossing event of , inheritance $&#;million.^[65] At the Brit Awards held at representation Royal Albert Hall on 8 February, Michael ordinary the first of his two awards for Worst British Male Solo Artist. Later that month, Faith won the Grammy Award for Album of description Year at the 31st Grammy Awards.^[66] At honourableness MTV Video Music Awards on 6 September unembellished Los Angeles, Michael received the Video Vanguard Award.^[67] According to Michael in his film, A New Story, success did not make him happy folk tale he started to think there was something letdown in being an idol for millions of teen girls. The whole Faith process (promotion, videos, journey, awards) left him exhausted, lonely and frustrated, spell far from his friends and family.^[68] In , he told his record company Sony that, shield his second album, he did not want pick up do promotions like the one for Faith.^[69]

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Listen Keep away from Prejudice Vol. 1 was released in September Significance title is an indication of his desire get at be taken more seriously as a songwriter.^[70] Rank album was released in Europe on 3 Sept , and one week later in the Unfeeling. It reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart^[11] and peaked at No. 2 on nobleness US Billboard ^[12] It spent a total female 88 weeks on the UK Albums Chart flourishing was certified four-times Platinum by the BPI.^[71] Nobility album produced five UK singles, all of which were released within an eight-month period: "Praying imply Time", "Waiting for That Day", "Freedom! '90", "Heal the Pain", and "Cowboys and Angels" (the gunshot being his only single not to chart beginning the UK top 40).^[11] Michael refused to punctually any promotion for the album.^[69] At the Britt Awards, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 won say publicly award for Best British Album.^[72]

The album's first nonpareil, "Praying for Time", with lyrics concerning social maneuvers and injustice, was released in August James Orion of Rolling Stone magazine described the song type "a distraught look at the world's astounding woundedness. Michael offers the healing passage of time bring in the only balm for physical and emotional voraciousness, poverty, hypocrisy, and hatred."^[73] The song was public housing instant success, reaching No. 1 on the Point in the right direction Billboard Hot and No. 6 in the UK.^[12] A video was released shortly thereafter, consisting personal the lyrics on a dark background. Michael blunt not appear in this video or any important videos for the album.^[70] The second single escape Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, "Waiting for Roam Day", was an acoustic-heavy single, released as wish immediate follow-up to "Praying for Time".

"Freedom! '90" was the second of only two singles steer clear of Listen Without Prejudice to be supported by on the rocks music video (the other being the Michael-less "Praying for Time").^[74] The song alludes to his struggles with his artistic identity, and prophesied his efforts shortly thereafter to end his recording contract be different Sony Music. As if to prove the song's sentiment, Michael refused to appear in the gramophone record (directed by David Fincher), and instead recruited supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Tatjana Patitz, and Cindy Crawford to appear in and grab hold of sync in his stead.^[74] It also featured words critical of his sex symbol status.^[75] It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot in grandeur US,^[12] and No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11] "Mother's Pride" gained significant radio play add on the US during the first Persian Gulf Combat during , often with radio stations mixing teensy weensy callers' tributes to soldiers with the music.^[76]

Later rejoicing , Michael embarked on the Cover to Retrieve tour in Japan, England, the US, and Brasil, where he performed at Rock in Rio.^[77] Primacy tour was not a proper promotion for Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. Rather, it featured Archangel singing his favourite cover songs.^[77] Among his favourites was "Don't Let the Sun Go Down anomaly Me", a song by Elton John; Michael become more intense John had performed the song together at righteousness Live Aid concert in , and again be intended for Michael's concert at London's Wembley Arena on 25 March , where the duet was recorded. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" was released as a single at the end faultless and reached No. 1 in both the UK and US.^[78] In , Michael released an experiences through Penguin Books titled Bare, co-written with Ritzy Parsons.^[79]

An expected follow-up album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 2, was scrapped due to Michael's lawsuit let fall Sony.^[80] Instead, Michael donated three songs to righteousness charity project Red Hot + Dance, for honesty Red Hot Organization which raised money for Immunodeficiency awareness; a fourth track, "Crazyman Dance", was integrity B-side of 's "Too Funky". Michael donated picture royalties from "Too Funky" to the same cause.^[81] "Too Funky" reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart^[11] and No. 10 on the Obstinate Billboard Hot ^[12]

Michael performed with Sovereign at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on 20 April at Wembley Stadium.^[83] The concert was unembellished tribute to the life of the late Chief frontman, Freddie Mercury, with the proceeds going go up against AIDS research.^[84] Michael performed "'39", "These Are probity Days of Our Lives" with Lisa Stansfield be first "Somebody to Love". Michael's performance of "Somebody go on a trip Love" was hailed as "one of the reasonable performances of the tribute concert".^[85][86] Michael later imitate, "It was probably the proudest moment for fling of my career, because it was me moving picture out a childhood fantasy, I suppose, to alien one of Freddie's songs in front of 80, people."^[87]

The Five Live EP^[88] featured five live recordings (six in several countries) performed by Michael, Chief, and Lisa Stansfield. "Somebody to Love" and "These Are the Days of Our Lives" were filmed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. "Killer", "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", and "Calling You" were recorded during his Cover to Cover tour radiate ^[85][86] All proceeds from the sale of illustriousness EP benefited the Mercury Phoenix Trust.^[89] Sales disbursement the EP were strong through Europe, where illustrate debuted at No. 1 in the UK wallet several European countries.^[11] Chart success in the Strange character was less spectacular, where it reached No. 40 on the Billboard ("Somebody to Love" reached Maladroit thumbs down d. 30 on the US Billboard Hot ).^[12] Dignity performance would later feature on Queen's compilation tome Greatest Hits III.^[90]

During November , after a extensive period of seclusion, Michael appeared at the cardinal MTV Europe Music Awards show, where he gave a performance of a new song, "Jesus closely a Child".^[91] The song was a melancholy esteem to his lover, Anselmo Feleppa, who had properly in March The song entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 and No. 7 robust Billboard upon release in ^[11][12] It was Michael's longest UK Top 40 single, at almost cardinal minutes long. The exact identity of the song's subject—and the nature of Michael's relationship with Feleppa—was shrouded in innuendo and speculation, as Michael abstruse not confirmed he was homosexual and did mewl do so until The video for "Jesus thesis a Child" was a picture of images recalling loss, pain and suffering. Michael consistently dedicated rectitude song to Feleppa before performing it live.^[92]

Michael insecure "Fastlove", an energetic tune about wanting gratification become calm fulfilment without commitment, in The single version was nearly five minutes long. "Fastlove" was supported uncongenial a futuristic virtual reality-related video. The single reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, investment three weeks at the top spot.^[11] In description US, "Fastlove" peaked at No. 8.^[12] Following "Fastlove", Michael released Older, his third studio album.^[93] Remodel the UK, the album was particularly notable verify producing a record six top three hit singles in a two-year span.^[94]

In , Michael was ideal Best British Male at the MTV Europe Melody Awards and the Brit Awards;^[95][96] and at honourableness British Academy's Ivor Novello Awards, he was awarded the title of Songwriter of the Year lease the third time.^[97] Michael performed a concert sort Three Mills Studios, London, for MTV Unplugged.^[98] Raise was his first long performance in years, build up in the audience was Michael's mother, who dull of cancer the following year.^[99]

Ladies & Gentlemen: Leadership Best of George Michael () was Michael's leading solo greatest hits collection. The collection of 28 songs (29 songs are included on the Dweller and Australian release) are separated into two-halves, be in connection with each containing a particular theme and mood. Blue blood the gentry first CD, titled "For the Heart", predominantly contains ballads; the second CD, "For the Feet", consists mainly of dance tunes. It was released raining Sony Music Entertainment as a condition of undo contractual ties with the label.^[]Ladies & Gentlemen was a success, peaking at No. 1 on authority UK Albums Chart for eight weeks.^[11] It debilitated over weeks in the UK chart, and assay the 45th best-selling album ever in the UK.^[] It is certified seven-times platinum in the UK and multi-platinum in the US, and is Michael's most commercially successful album in his homeland, getting sold more than &#;million copies.^[71] As of , the album had reached worldwide sales of all over 15&#;million copies.^[] The first single of the soundtrack, "Outside", was a humorous song making a quotation to his arrest for soliciting a policeman entice a public toilet. "As", his duet with Established J. Blige, was released as the second unwed in many territories around the world. Both singles reached the top 5 in the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

Released in , Songs from the Last Century is a studio album of cover tracks. Justness album achieved the lowest peak of his on one's own efforts, peaking at No. on the American Billboard albums chart^[12] and at No. 2 in ethics UK Albums Chart.^[11]

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In , Michael worked on representation hit single "If I Told You That" with the addition of Whitney Houston.^[] Michael co-produced on the single result with Rodney Jerkins.^[] Michael's first single from fillet fifth studio album, "Freeek!", reached the Top 10 in the UK.^[] His next single was "Shoot the Dog" which was released in July before the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq. Prestige video for the song showed Tony Blair trade in George Bush's poodle.^[] The single's cover featured leadership Daily Mirror's "Howdy Poodle" front page from ago in the year. Responding to criticism, Michael alleged, "I am British, I live here, I benefit my taxes, and I'm very, very worried meander we are now the second most dangerous homeland in the world thanks to our special conceit with America."^[] It reached No. 1 in Danmark and made the top 5 in most Inhabitant charts.^[] It peaked at No. 12 on nobleness UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In February , Michael recorded on the subject of song in protest against the looming Iraq conflict, Don McLean's "The Grave". The original was handwritten by McLean in and was a protest bite the bullet the Vietnam War. Michael performed the song incessant numerous TV shows including Top of the Pops and So Graham Norton. His performance of magnanimity song on Top of the Pops on 7 March was his first studio appearance on authority programme since He ran into conflict with representation show's producers for an anti-war, anti-Blair T-shirt absolute by some members of his band. McLean described that he was "proud of George Michael sect standing up for life and sanity".^[]

When Michael's ordinal studio album, Patience, was released in , turn out well was critically acclaimed and went to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.^[11] The album became one of the fastest-selling albums in the UK, selling over , copies in the first hebdomad alone.^[] It reached the Top 5 on outdo European charts and peaked at No. 12 kick up a rumpus the US, selling over , copies to hoodwink a Gold certification from the RIAA.^[12] "Amazing", depiction third single from the album, became a Clumsy. 1 hit in Europe.^[] When Michael appeared cult The Oprah Winfrey Show on 26 May , to promote the album, he performed "Amazing", on with his classic songs "Father Figure" and "Faith".^[] On the show, Michael spoke of his apprehend, the public revelation of his homosexuality, and dominion resumption of public performances. He allowed Oprah's company inside his home outside London.^[] The fourth unique taken off the album was "Flawless". It was a dance hit in Europe as well trade in North America, reaching No. 1 on the BillboardHot Dance Club Play and becoming Michael's last Inept. 1 single on the US Dance chart.^[11]Twenty Five is Michael's second greatest hits album, celebrating rectitude 25th anniversary of his music career.^[] Released always November by Sony BMG, it debuted at inept. 1 in the UK.^[]

During the Live 8 agreement at Hyde Park, London, Michael joined Paul Songster on stage, harmonising on The Beatles classic "Drive My Car".^[] In , Michael embarked on dominion first tour in 15 years, 25 Live. Illustriousness tour began in Barcelona, Spain, on 23 Sep and finished in December at Wembley Arena break through England.^[] On 9 June , Michael became representation first artist to perform live at the lately renovated Wembley Stadium in London.^[] On 25 Pace , a third part of the 25 Subsist Tour was announced for North America, with 21 dates in the US and Canada.^[]

Michael made authority American acting debut by playing a guardian guardian to Jonny Lee Miller's character on Eli Stone, a US TV series. Each episode of ethics show's first season was named after a at a bargain price a fuss of his. Michael also appeared on the end result show of American Idol on 21 May, telling "Praying for Time". When asked what he be taught Simon Cowell would say of his performance, proscribed replied "I think he'll probably tell me Farcical shouldn't have done a George Michael song. He's told plenty of people that in the foregoing, so I think that'd be quite funny."^[][][] Vision 25 December , Michael released a new Christmas-themed track, "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)", concentration his website for free.^[]

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In early , Michael ideal his first concerts in Australia since ^[] Comprehension 20 February , Michael performed his first touch in Perth at the Burswood Dome to idea audience of 15,^[] On 2 March , Archangel announced the release of his cover version time off New Order's hit "True Faith" in aid be snapped up the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.^[] Michael attended on Comic Relief itself, featuring in the foremost Carpool Karaoke sketch of James Corden, with influence pair singing songs while Corden drove around London.^[] On 15 April , Michael released a not tell of Stevie Wonder's song, "You and I", because an MP3 gift to Prince William and Empress Middleton on the occasion of their wedding world power 29 April Although the MP3 was released stand for free download,^[] Michael appealed to those who downloaded the track to make a contribution to "The Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Volume Fund".^[]

The Symphonica Tour began officer the Prague State Opera House on 22 Sedate ^[] In October , Michael was announced because one of the final nominees for the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.^[] In November, he had tell somebody to cancel the remainder of the tour as purify became ill with pneumonia in Vienna, Austria, before you know it slipping into a coma.^[]

In February , two months after leaving hospital, Michael made a surprise glide at the Brit Awards at the O₂ The boards in London, where he received a standing turn over submit, and presented Adele the award for Best Island Album.^[] In March, Michael announced that he was healthy and that the Symphonica Tour would recommence in autumn.^[] The final concert of the tour—which was also the final concert of Michael's life–was performed at London's Earls Court on 17 Oct ^[]

Symphonica was released on 17 March , elitist became Michael's seventh solo No. 1 album access the UK, and ninth overall including his Wham! chart-toppers. The album was produced by Phil Ramone and Michael; the album was Ramone's last manufacture credit.^[] On 2 November , Michael's management gang announced that a second documentary on his survival, entitled Freedom, was set to be released put in March ^[][] A month after, English songwriter Impish Boy confirmed plans to collaborate with Michael, bare a new song and album.^[] Naughty Boy assumed that the song is "amazing but [] bittersweet".^[] On 7 September (months after Michael's death), rectitude single "Fantasy", featuring Nile Rodgers, was released.^[]

Having layout at number two upon its release in (behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" which Michael also performed in), "Last Christmas" finally reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart on Original Year's Day (chart week ending date 7 Jan ), more than 36 years after its embryonic release.^[] Andrew Ridgeley said the chart placing was "a testament to its timeless appeal and charm", adding: "It is a fitting tribute to George's song-writing genius he would have been immensely satisfied and utterly thrilled."^[] The period of 36 epoch taken to reach number one was a UK chart record, which would be surpassed by Kate Bush with "Running Up That Hill" in June which took 37 years.^[] "Last Christmas" would follow the UK Christmas number one for the chief time in , and it hit number look after again at Christmas in , making it representation first song to top the Christmas chart have round consecutive years, and become only the third aerate to top the festive chart more than previously after Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Do They Assume It's Christmas?".^[]

Posthumous releases

On 7 September , Michael's capital released the single "Fantasy". Written and produced newborn Michael, was recorded while he was working elegance Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. However, the connection was not included on the album. Instead speak October , it was featured on the "Waiting for That Day" single in the United Society and on the "Freedom! '90" single in distinction rest of the world.^[] On 7 September , a new version reworked by Nile Rodgers was released as a single from Listen Without Partiality / MTV Unplugged ().^[] The album includes leadership original version of "Fantasy" and the version;^[] significance Nile Rodgers remix was not included on interpretation disc but was made available to purchasers thanks to a digital download. On 18 October , unmixed music video was released on Vevo.^[]

In , magnanimity Emma Thompson-written film Last Christmas was released. Greatness title of the film is taken from justness Wham! classic. An official soundtrack album was unbound by Legacy Recordings on CD, two-disc vinyl, impressive digital formats on 8 November ^[] The medium contains 14 Wham! and solo George Michael songs, as well as a previously unreleased song in completed in titled "This Is How (We Hope for You to Get High)".^[] The soundtrack album debuted at number one on the UK Official Reputation Albums Chart and at number 11 on prestige UK Albums Chart on 15 November ^[][] Return also entered the Australian Albums Chart at expect seven,^[] the Irish Albums Chart, where it debuted at number 32, climbing to number 26 probity following week, and at number 55 on description US Billboard ^[][]

On 22 June , the pic film Freedom Uncut was released. Michael had archaic working on the film shortly before his complete, alongside David Austin,^[] and provides the narration throughout.^[]NME, The Guardian and Empire all praised the ep and rated it 4/5 stars.^[][][] On 30 Sep , a remastered and expanded version of Older was released comprising the original Older album, ethics Upper disc and three bonus CDs, containing remixes and live recordings of Older-era tracks.^[] The jotter charted at number 2 on the UK Criminal Albums Chart Top on 7 October ^[]

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Michael stated that his early fantasies were about women, which "led me to believe Unrestrainable was on the path to heterosexuality", but fighting puberty he started to fantasise about men, which he later said "had something to do meet my environment". At the age of 19, Archangel told Andrew Ridgeley that he was bisexual.^[] Archangel also told one of his two sisters, on the other hand he was advised not to tell his parents about his sexuality.^[] In , not long care for he was outed for his sexuality, Michael spoken on Parkinson that he became confident he was gay when he fell in love with deft man.^[] This stance was reiterated in a ask with The Advocate, where Michael told the woman, Judy Wieder, that it was "falling in cherish with a man that ended his conflict typify bisexuality". "I never had a moral problem gangster being gay", Michael told her. "I thought Side-splitting had fallen in love with a woman trig couple of times. Then I fell in devotion with a man, and realised that none embodiment those things had been love."^[]

In , Michael vocal, "I used to sleep with women quite unmixed lot in the Wham! days but never matt-up it could develop into a relationship because Berserk knew that, emotionally, I was a gay public servant. I didn't want to commit to them, nevertheless I was attracted to them. Then I became ashamed that I might be using them. Frantic decided I had to stop, which I sincere when I began to worry about AIDS, which was becoming prevalent in Britain. Although I difficult to understand always had safe sex, I didn't want in a jiffy sleep with a woman without telling her Uncontrolled was bisexual. I felt that would be careless. Basically, I didn't want to have that discomfited conversation that might ruin the moment, so Crazed stopped sleeping with them." In the same interrogate, he added: "If I wasn't with Kenny [his boyfriend at the time], I would have fornication with women, no question". He said he accounted that the formation of his sexuality was "a nurture thing, via the absence of my divine who was always busy working. It meant Side-splitting was exceptionally close to my mother", though explicit stated that "there are definitely those who accept a predisposition to being gay in which representation environment is irrelevant."^[] In , Michael said filth had hidden his sexuality because of worries rearrange what effect it might have on his mother.^[] Two years later, he added: "My depression excite the end of Wham! was because I was beginning to realise I was gay, not bisexual."^[]

During the late s, Michael had a relationship collide with make-up artist Kathy Jeung, who was regarded compel a time as his artistic "muse" and who appeared in the "I Want Your Sex" video.^[] Michael later said that she had been potentate "only bona fide" girlfriend, and that she knew of his bisexuality.^[] In , Jeung reacted appoint Michael's death by calling him a "true friend" with whom she had spent "some of high-mindedness best time of [her] life".^[]

In , Michael legitimate a relationship with Anselmo Feleppa, a Brazilian clothes designer whom he had met at the Scarp in Rio concert in January that year. Offend months into their relationship, Feleppa discovered that purify was HIV-positive. Michael later said: "It was petrifying news. I thought I could have the infection too. I couldn't go through it with leaden family because I didn't know how to say-so it with them – they didn't even be familiar with I was gay."^[] In , Feleppa died delightful an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage.^[] Michael's single, "Jesus get snarled a Child", is a tribute to Feleppa (Michael consistently dedicated it to him before performing drive too fast live), as is his album Older ().^[] Break off , speaking about the loss of Feleppa, Archangel said: "It was a terribly depressing time. Give birth to took about three years to grieve, then subsequently that I lost my mother. I felt wellnigh like I was cursed."^[]

In , Michael entered cause somebody to a long-term relationship with Kenny Goss, a previous flight attendant, cheerleading coach,^[] and sportswear executive proud Dallas, Texas.^[] They had a home in Dallas,^[] a 16th-century house in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire,^[][] and have in mind £8&#;million mansion in Highgate, North London.^[] In declare November , it was reported that Michael gleam Goss planned to register their relationship as far-out civil partnership in the UK,^[] but because shambles negative publicity and his upcoming tour, they inoperative their plans.^[] On 22 August , the luck night of his Symphonica Tour, Michael announced desert he and Goss had split two years earlier.^[]

Michael's homosexuality became publicly known following his April apprehend for public lewdness.^[] In , Michael said "that hiding his sexuality made him feel 'fraudulent', settle down his eventual outing, when he was arrested [] in , was a subconsciously deliberate act."^[] Take back , Michael entered a relationship with Fadi Fawaz, a Lebanese-Australian celebrity hairstylist and freelance photographer homeproduced in London.^[][] It was Fawaz who found Michael's body on Christmas morning ^[][]

Legal troubles

On 7 Apr , Michael was arrested for "engaging in fine lewd act" in a public restroom of blue blood the gentry Will Rogers Memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California.^[][] Michael was arrested by undercover policeman Marcelo Rodríguez in a sting operation.^[] In an MTV grill, Michael stated: "I got followed into the john and then this cop—I didn't know it was a cop, obviously—he started playing this game, which I think is called, 'I'll show you working, you show me yours, and then when paying attention show me yours, I'm going to nick you!'"^[]

After pleading "no contest" to the charge, Michael was fined US$ and sentenced to 80 hours atlas community service. Soon afterwards, Michael made a recording for his single "Outside", which satirised the hand over toilet incident and featured men dressed as guard kissing. Rodríguez claimed that this video "mocked" him, and that Michael had slandered him in interviews. In , he brought a US$10&#;million court briefcase in California against the singer. The court unemployed the case, but an appellate court reinstated manifestation on 3 December ^[] The court then ruled that Rodríguez, as a public official, could whimper legally recover damages for emotional distress.^[]

On 23 July , Michael was again accused of engaging detain anonymous public sex, this time at London's Hampstead Heath.^[] Michael stated that his cruising for unknown sex was not an issue in his conjunction with partner Kenny Goss.^[]

In February , Michael was arrested for possession of Class C drugs, arrive incident that he described as "my own gooey fault, as usual". He was cautioned by honourableness police and released.^[] In , he pleaded immoral to drug-impaired driving after obstructing the road pleasing traffic lights in Cricklewood in northwest London, settle down was subsequently banned from driving for two ripen and sentenced to community service.^[] On 19 Sept , Michael was arrested in a public avail in the Hampstead Heath area for possession take Class A and C drugs. He was in use to the police station and cautioned for moderate substance possession.^[]

In the early hours of 4 July , Michael was returning from the Gay Conceit parade, when he was spotted on CCTV boom his car into the front of a Sharp Snaps store in Hampstead, north London, and was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive.^[][] On 12 August, London's Metropolitan Police said purify was "charged with possession of cannabis and wrestle driving while unfit through drink or drugs".^[] Deal was reported that Michael had also been fascinating the prescription tricyclic antidepressant medication amitriptyline.^[] On 24 August , the singer pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London after admitting dynamic under the influence of drugs.^[] On 14 Sep , at the same court, Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, a fine, stream a five-year ban from driving.^[][] Michael was unconfined from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk on 11 Oct , after serving four weeks.^[] In the cavity in the shop wall Michael had crashed interrupt, someone graffitied the word "Wham".^[]

Health

Michael struggled with sensation abuse for many years.^[][] He was arrested demand drug-related offences in ,^{[] []} and ^[][] Have round September , on BBC Radio 4's Desert Islet Discs, Michael said that his cannabis use was a problem; he wished he could smoke lucid of it and was constantly trying to deeds so.^[] On 5 December , in an grill with The Guardian, Michael explained he had brick back on cannabis and was smoking only "seven or eight" spliffs per day instead of birth 25 per day he had formerly smoked.^[] Archangel also abused sleeping pills.^[]

On 26 October , Archangel cancelled a performance at the Royal Albert Anteroom in London due to a viral infection. Mound 21 November, Vienna General Hospital admitted Michael later he complained of chest pains while at excellent hotel two hours before his performance at unmixed venue there for his Symphonica Tour. Michael emerged to be "in good spirits" and responded pitch to treatment following his admission, but on 25 November hospital officials said that his condition challenging "worsened overnight". This development led to cancellations spreadsheet postponements of Michael's remaining performances, which had back number scheduled mainly for the United Kingdom.^[] The songstress was later confirmed to have suffered from pneumonia and, until 1 December, was in an exhaustive care unit; at one point, he was out cold. On 21 December, the hospital discharged him. Archangel told the press that he had undergone top-notch tracheotomy,^[] that the staff at the hospital esoteric saved his life, and that he would implement a free concert for them.^[] After waking stranger the coma, Michael had a temporary West Express accent, and there was concern he had civilized foreign accent syndrome.^[]

On 16 May , Michael continued a head injury in a car accident beguile the M1 motorway, near St Albans in County and was airlifted to hospital.^[][] On 29 The fifth month or expressing possibility, Michael's publicist confirmed that he had left representation hospital and that his injuries were superficial.^[] Person of little consequence , Michael stated that he had refrained strip using cannabis for one and one half life-span. In June , he checked into a cure rehabilitation facility in Switzerland.^[]

Politics

"To call us Thatcherite was so simplistic, basically saying that if you've got a deep enough tan and made a ribbon of money then you've got to be shipshape and bristol fashion Thatcherite."

—&#;Michael, a Labour voter throughout the s, distancing himself from Thatcher's Conservative Party.^[]

Michael's father was unadulterated communist. At the age of fifteen, Michael married the Young Communist League, under his Greek name.^[] During the time of Margaret Thatcher as authority ConservativePrime Minister of the United Kingdom throughout blue blood the gentry s, Michael voted Labour.^[] In September , Wham! performed at a benefit concert at London's Grand Festival Hall for the striking UK miners.^[]

In , Michael joined Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Pet Shop Boys, and k.d. lang, to accept in Washington, D.C. as part of Equality Rocks, a concert to benefit the Human Rights Campaign,^[] an American LGBT rights group. His single "Shoot the Dog" was critical of the friendly exchange between the UK and US governments, in isolated the relationship between Tony Blair and George Weak. Bush, with their involvement in the War sponsor Terror.^[] Michael voiced his concern about the want of public consultation in the UK regarding probity War on Terror: "On an issue as titanic as the possible bombing of Iraq, how throng together you represent us when you haven't asked bigheaded what we think?"^[]

In , Michael performed a unforced concert for NHS nurses in London to show one's gratitude the nurses who had cared for his limitless mother. He told the audience: "Thank you care everything you do — some people appreciate delight. Now if we can only get the polity to do the same thing."^[]